Consortia approach - Management Trainee employed by local construction company as a direct result of Integrate member's commitment to targeted recruitment and training

 As a direct result of securing contracts with a number of Integrate housing association members, one of Wales' largest independently owned construction companies Jehu Project Services has recruited local lad Kieran, from Fairwater Cardiff, as their latest management trainee.

Above: Management Trainee Kieran will be working on a number of sites across the Integrate consortia, including Newydd Housing Association’s site in Barry where he will assist with the refurbishment of a previous derelict building to provide 9 new affordable rental apartments.

Founded by Jack Jehu in the early 1930's, Jehu is now one of Wales largest independently owned construction companies. Working on a number of new build and refurbishment contacts with Cadwyn Housing Association, Coastal Housing Group and Newydd Housing Association, Jehu were required to provide job and training opportunities as a core contractual requirement, giving back to the local community.

The prospect of working for an award winning contractor on a paid management traineeship attracted over fifty applicants, including tenants, Working Links clients, college students and a number of young people who were not in employment education or training. Kieran successful made it through the recruitment process, shining throughout at both interview and work trial stage where he spent a day on a live site finding out more about the position. From a young age Kieran knew he wanted a career in the construction industry, inspired by his father who has his own bricklaying business. Starting out as a general site labourer, Kieran progressed to become a Bricklayer which gave him the opportunity to gain his NVQ immediately after leaving school.  Representing his college in an advanced brickwork competition for the Guild of Bricklayers, Kieran came 2^nd place in Wales and top 5 in Britain! Kieran will spend time with the QS, estimating and construction departments developing his understanding of site documentation and processes, whilst actively promoting and achieving a high standard of health and safety at all times.  Keen to progress onto an HNC followed by an undergraduate degree in Construction Management, Kieran hopes to complete his second year Site Management OCN this year, ready to progress onto the next step of his career with support and funding from Jehu.  

To date, the Intergrate project has leveraged 388 employment and training opportunities totaling over 17,000 job and training weeks through adopting a core approach to community benefits to maximise the impact of the welsh pound through the Integrate Project.

Taff Community Allotment Video

Back in June, we blogged about Taff Housing Association's community allotment, following the generous donation of over £8,000 of materials from Intergrate contractors.
Please check out Taff TV to watch a short film of how the Allotment came to be. 

http://www.taffhousing.co.uk/tafftv

Six month employment contract created through Newydd's commitment to creating jobs and training opportunities for local job seekers

 

 

 

As a direct result of Newydd Housing Association’s commitment to targeted recruitment and training, a six month Multi-Skilled employment opportunity has been created on a new build housing development, located in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Robert, 33 from Tremorfa, is the latest recruit to join the team working on site at Newydd’s new build housing development, consisting of 8 homes, to include two adapted homes for disabled residents.  The development in the Herberts, Llanfair will assist local people to overcome the challenges of affordable housing in rural areas in the Vale. Committed to giving back to the local community through social clauses in procurement, Integrate member Newydd require contractors to meet a number of good practice employment and training requirements as a contractual requirement.

Liaising with the contractor Bullock Construction, it was agreed that a six month Muti-Skilled Operative post would be created, providing an unemployed young person the opportunity to develop their skill set and return to paid employment, with a competitive salary.  Following a successful recruitment process linking with government appointed work program provider ‘Working Links’, Robert started on site the following week. Head of Working Links Employer Services Ross Watts commented; “This is a great example of how using targeted recruitment and training clauses can significantly contribute to changing lives & creating more sustainable futures for people in the communities we work.  It’s hugely encouraging to see a housing association as prestigious as Newydd using their procurement power to leverage further community benefit. To make it a success It’s crucial to have the support and commitment of employers such as Bullock Construction so that meaningful job opportunities can be created and linked to unemployed people with the right skills for the job”

Today, I caught up with Robert, three days into his employment to find out how he was settling in on site. “So far it’s been really good. I’ve been out of work for several months and have constantly been applying for construction jobs both online and in person. I’ve even been dropping in to any live site I have seen, to introduce myself and hand over my CV, with no luck. I was really pleased when Working Links told me about this Multi-Skilled Operative job as I have a strong background in general laboring. I came for the interview last Thursday and was told the next day that I had been successful and Dave the site manager wanted me to start on the Monday. I couldn’t believe it!”

 

Above: Architects perspective of completed development

Image courtesy of Bullock Construction

 

Above: View of the site August 2012

Site Manger Dave Owen commented, “I have been very impressed with how smooth the recruitment process has gone and the quality of candidates received from Working Links via Integrate Project Coordinator Clare. Robert has a demonstrated a positive attitude and a passion for getting on with the job in hand whilst ensuring high standards and a safe working environment is maintained at all times.”

Robert who has City and Guilds Level 2 in Plumbing and a Diploma in Painting and Decorating explained that his dream job would be a gas plumber running his own business, but he lacks the onsite work experience to process onto Plumbing NQV level two. This is a common issue encountered by thousands of job seekers and college students. Without making targeted recruitment and training a core requirement within contracts, hundreds of potential openings are being passed by.

Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Newydd said, “We are delighted that Robert has gained employment with our contractors Bullock following our commitment to the Targeted Recruitment and Training programme. It is clear that this position is making a difference to Robert and we wish him every success in his new role. We will continue to support the recruitment and training programme to ensure other apprentices get every chance of job security in the future.”

To date, Newydd has leveraged 14 employment and training opportunities with 9 different contractors, through adopting core approach to community benefits to maximise the impact of the welsh pound through the Integrate Project.  This full time six month contract will not only allow Robert to develop his skill set with a reputable contractor, but provide access to future employment and training opportunities. To date, the project has actively engaged with 388 participants of whom 93 are currently live on site in paid employment, apprenticeships and valuable work experience. Following completion of the six month period, the Integrate project team will seek further opportunities for Robert, particularly in the plumbing trade.

 

If you feel you are able to offer Robert a plumbing apprenticeship or employment in this field, please contact: Clare Parry: cparry@uwha.co.uk 07554 415846  

 

South Wales trio nail apprentices with Lovell

 

 Photo: Trainee plumbers Lewis Summerson, on left, and Tom Wilcox on right

                  

Three young men from South Wales have nailed apprenticeships with Integrate member Cardiff Community Housing Assocation and their housing maintenance contractor Lovell.

Lovell has taken on trainee plumbers Tom Wilcox and Lewis Summerson, both aged 19, and 21-year-old apprentice carpenter Joel Williams to work on the major maintenance reactive building repairs and electrical maintenance services contract for 2,650 homes it began earlier this year for Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA).

Lovell will support Tom and Joel, both from Barry, and Lewis, from Canton, Cardiff, as they study for qualifications in their chosen trades. The three apprentices will attend Cardiff and Vale College, Barry, on day release and gain on-site experience working on the CCHA scheme, supervised by qualified construction professionals.

Tom and Lewis are working towards NVQ Level 2 qualifications in plumbing while Joel, who has already passed his NVQ Level 2 award is studying for the advanced NVQ Level 3 qualification in carpentry.

“It’s great to have the backing of a national company as I work towards my qualifications,” says Lewis. “Lovell is both supporting me in my college studies and giving me the opportunity to gain the practical working experience I need to really learn my trade” says Tom.

“Creating training opportunities such as these apprenticeships for Tom, Lewis and Joel, is a priority for Lovell and never more so at a time of rising youth unemployment,” says Simon Medler, managing director of the Lovell repairs and maintenance business. “We want to leave a lasting legacy in the communities where we work, including the enduring benefits that result from new job and training opportunities.”

The four-year CCHA contract involves the Lovell team delivering reactive building maintenance and repair services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to the building fabric, drainage and electrical installations of occupied and void homes owned by the housing association.

Official opening of @Loudoun

CCHA was joined by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths on 11th June to celebrate another key milestone in the £13m regeneration of Loudoun Square with the official opening of @Loudoun, a multi-functional building offering a host of services for the local community.

@Loudoun is home to the new Butetown health centre, a new Culture and Media Centre, three social enterprise units and Cardiff Council’s BEST and Hub information services.

The new Butetown Health Centre provides the local community with a whole host of services under one roof including two GP practices and a dental practice all with extra capacity for additional patients. The primary care element of this facility also includes an integral community pharmacy.

Community health services are also available including a dental surgery, District Nursing, Health Visiting, Child Health, Podiatry, Dietetics, Audiology, Sexual Health and Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia services.

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths welcomed the provision of the new integrated health centre: "Health services are at the heart of this excellent community development. @Loudoun won't just deliver economic and social benefits, but a range of high quality, accessible health services, working together to serve the needs of the local community."

Paul Hollard, Interim Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) added: "I am delighted that the UHB has able to provide such a comprehensive range of primary and community health services for the residents of Butetown, in one facility, @Loudoun. This is the culmination of a major work programme across a number of partners and I am extremely grateful to all those who have worked so hard on this project to make the vision a reality."

A community cinema, digital film making suite, celebration space, training and meeting rooms all make up an exciting new culture and media centre – CMC@Loudoun. Designed to be as flexible as possible, this space will form a creative hub for a wide range of community activities. Three social enterprise units provide affordable office accommodation for hire by local services providers or those wishing to set up a business.

Kevin Protheroe, Chief Executive of CCHA, said: "The opening of @Loudoun is significant for all partners involved, especially the local community. They now have access to high quality health, information and recreational services all under one roof. Our new culture and media centre offers free weekly film screenings for local residents, access to creative projects, space for community group activities and meeting and training rooms. We firmly believe that @Loudoun will have a big impact on the regeneration of Loudoun Square."

Council services are also available including 'The Hub at Butetown', a one-stop desk located on the ground floor, and the BEST centre, a training and enterprise service which provides help for jobseekers to find or train for work and career advice and guidance for those in or out of work on the first floor. Designed by architects Austin Smith Lord, the building is accessed via a bright airy atrium which leads to the health centre, pharmacy, culture and media centre and enterprise units.

The final phase of the project involves the demolition of the dilapidated 1960s Butetown health centre and completion of 48 apartments, 13 of which are specifically designed for disabled people and is due for completion in March 2013.

Coastal Housing Group - £8m scheme set create around 50 new jobs

A MULTI-MILLION pound project to breathe new life into a historic section of Swansea city centre will go before planners in the autumn.
Housing group Coastal is hoping to develop an £8 million commercial and housing scheme in land off Castle Lane which could see the creation of more than 100 jobs.
The Castle Quarter project just off the strand would offer affordable accommodation and commercial units in a single building.
If it were to be given the go-ahead Coastal Housing bosses hope the development could be completed by mid-2014.
Construction would begin by March of next year if the company can secure planning permission.
An application is yet to be submitted. But Coastal is hoping to have completed this stage of the process in the next three months.
The development could see around 50 jobs created in the construction phase with a further 60 positions potentially being opened up when the commercial units begin trading.
The Castle Quarter development is earmarked to include 26 apartments available on an affordable rent basis.
A further four units will be available for private sale.

Above: Located on Wind Street, Swansea castle  stands on a clifftop, below which the river Tawe originally flowed.

Coastal's director of development Gerraint Oakley said: "This project represents a significant investment which we hope will reinvigorate this historic part of the city centre.
"We have a unique opportunity to develop something special here which will offer affordable accommodation in a city centre location."
Coastal will hold a series of public information events at its offices next month.
Mr Oakley added: "Plans for the development will be available to view at our information events and I would urge anyone interested in finding out more to come along."

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/pound-8m-scheme-set-revive-historic-area-Swansea/story-16455544-detail/story.html

Update: Pathway to Apprenticeship Student James is transferred using the power of consortia, with a fantastic outcome- an apprenticeship!

In March, we blogged about Pathway to Apprenticeship (PtA) student James gaining valuable work experience on Newydd Housing Assocation’s Code for Sustainable Homes level 5 development in Penarth, being built by the Leadbitter Group. Following the ten week placement on site, James continually impressed the Leadbitter team and sub-contractors with his commitment to learning and passion for construction. Following completion of the bricklaying phase of the four town houses, James was offered a transfer to one of Taff Housing Association’s new build sites, utilising the power of consortia.  

Taff’s Albert Walk development in Canton, Cardiff includes 5 flats and 10 houses with a small courtyard and parking area. As a result of the transfer between Integrate housing association members, James has gained a further four weeks bricklaying experience, which has subsequently lead to a provisional bricklaying apprenticeship offer.

Steve James of Leadbitter sub-contractor S J Brickwork is currently liaising with CSkills to formalise James’s contract of employment. “During the course of both placements James has become valued team member working to a high standard at all times. The idea of losing such a strong and committed brickie has spurred me into taking him on our books as an apprentice Bricklayer.”

Video below: Albert Walk Site Manager Rob Harris praised the transfer process of PtA students and apprentices through the power of consortia.